4/9/2011 9:10:37 AM Kokavil transmission tower to connect North and South again

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110409_01 Kokavil transmission tower to connect North and South again Kilinochchi, the infamous hub of terrorist brutality and LTTE clandestine operations several years ago is now fast transforming to be a hive of industry and commerce under the government's 'Uthuru Wasanthaya' (Northern Spring) development project. Directed by the Commander of the Army, many thousands of soldiers in the Army, reminiscent of the post-war period of the legendary King Dutugemunu, are at present enthusiastically engaged in multifarious island-wide infrastructure development projects at the request of HE the President and Secretary Defence. One more success story lies with the complete restoration of the new Kokavil transmission tower which is to be opened shortly. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army Friday (8) morning visited the site of the new tower and received an update from the technical staff on its planned operations and transmission capabilities after its opening. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on arrival at the venue was received by Major General Nandana Udawatte, Commander Security Forces, Kilinochchi. Major General S.A.P.P Samarasinghe, Chief Signal Officer and several other senior officers were associated with the occasion. The tower was completely vandalized by the coterie of terrorists on 11th July 1990 but valiant ground troops brought it under their control in 2008 during Wanni Humanitarian Operations. The 174-meter high Kokavil communication transmission tower, the only of its kind to stand without any cable support in the country, connects the North and the South over the air through TV, radio and other satellite channels across the Piduruthalagala transmission tower while accommodating the increased frequency for mobile telephones. Hundreds of Army personnel, belonging to Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Sri Lanka Engineer Corps, Engineer Service Regiment and a few others, playing a leading role in its restoration, contributed immensely to replace the devastated tower. It cost Rs 300 million to the Army. The tower is now equipped with most modern technical facilities. As the second leg of the day's programme, the Commander opened a fully-equipped new Computer Training Centre at Kokavil transmission tower premises under Kilinochchi Security Forces Headquarters. The air conditioned centre with 40 new computers has two laboratories and its construction was made possible due to generosity, shown by various donors. Sri Lanka Army Signal Corps, on the directions of the Commander of the Army has embarked on an island-wide project to set up computer training centers at major Army formations, with a view to imparting IT knowledge to all ranks in the Army. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya speaking to the soldiers after the ceremonial opening of the new Computer Centre underlined the importance of IT knowledge as the world is fast changing. This training centre will provide lessons not only to the Army personnel but also to the next of kin of soldiers and youngsters in the civil society. Later on, the Commander with the intention of meeting a cross section of the officers and soldiers visited the Security Forces Headquarters, Mullaittivu. He was greeted with a Guard Turnout at the entrance to the premises in accordance with military traditions. Major General L.B.R. Mark, Commander, Security Forces, Mullaittivu (SFHQ- MLT) welcomed the visiting Army Chief and afterwards conducted him to the auditorium at SFHQ - MLT. At the beginning of the meeting, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya received a brief update of the security situation vis-…-vis development work in the area with the participation of the Army. Later on, the Commander addressed a representative gathering of the troops serving the SFHQ - MLT and extended national New Year greetings to all. 'I am very pleased to have been able to meet you all today on the eve of the New Year festival. Since I am unable to meet each and every one of you to share New Year greetings and best wishes, I thought of meeting you here. On behalf of the organization let me assure you that the Army with the blessings of the President and Secretary Defence will continue to provide more and more humanitarian services while simultaneously shouldering responsibilities towards the country's road to development', the Commander said. 'Most of you who have joined this great organization need time and knowledge for you to adjust your selves to the roles and tasks of peace time. It is a gradual transition and you all must be aware of it very well since that itself is a good training for you all', the Commander said.